The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 84

Episode 84

Rose watched as Adela handed a gift package to Jasper. 

Adela was the epitome of elegance from head to toe, in stark contrast to Rose, who was in a disheveled state, rushing with her school uniform. Even her hairstyle was a mess.

Rose hesitated to move forward. The various noises in the station gradually faded, and she looked back and forth between Jasper and Adela with trembling eyes.

She couldn’t approach Jasper confidently in Adela’s presence. Adela would surely find it strange, and most importantly…

The people Rose had seen during her journey from the third-class and standing compartments were so different from the two before her now. The difference made Rose feel small and insignificant.

A life where one had to work hard and endure the noise and sweat, versus a life where elegance was enough.

If Rose Bell belonged to the former, Adela and Jasper were from the latter. The way the two of them faced each other was beautiful and fitting without any discomfort.

Rose wiped the sweat on her forehead with trembling fingertips. 

‘Should I just go back like this? After all, I’ve seen his face.’

Fortunately, Jasper looked well, which eased her mind. Looking at the strong and resilient Jasper, she had faith that he could handle any battle.

‘…Yeah, anyway, Jasper will come back once the fall semester starts.’

It was just before the train’s departure, so there wasn’t much time for a proper conversation with Jasper. Rose had made up her mind to quietly turn around and leave.

But it seemed as if her feet were glued to the ground, unable to move. Her body ignored her head’s commands.

Rose bit her lower lip and stared at Jasper in front of her. Her hand clenched into a fist involuntarily.

She couldn’t go back like this. No, she didn’t want to go back.

Caught in the noise emanating from the train, Rose felt her anxious emotions filling her heart. Despite her efforts to deny and ignore these feelings, she ultimately had to admit them.

It seemed like she had started to like Jasper. Rose murmured to herself as she cupped her face in her hands.

“Jasper….”

In novels and plays, the first moment of love is always praised as beautiful. However, Rose felt more heartbroken than anything else.

Why did it have to be Jasper Conway? In Rose’s mind, countless reasons why she shouldn’t love Jasper came flooding in.

If it were just a one-sided love without even a slight possibility, she could suffer alone and move on. It would remain as a memory to be laughed off someday. But that wasn’t the case, and that was the problem.

She had thought that suffering from an unattainable love only happened in old novels. Until a few months ago, Rose never imagined she would be the one experiencing it.

‘What should I do…?’

Rose breathed heavily, covering her face. Maybe she should try to erase her feelings towards Jasper during the vacation. 

Since this feeling had just started, she believed she could stop if she tried. Now that they were far apart and might never meet again, this could be her last chance.

The sound of people walking towards the train to board slowly reached Rose, who kept her face on the ground. She wished the train would depart quickly.

Rose felt dizzy. Despite standing firmly on the ground, the floor seemed to wobble beneath her.

Beep, beep. The station attendant’s whistle signaling the train’s departure resounded. Only then did Rose try to open her eyes, but a warm and firm grip firmly held her wrist.

“Rose.”

And right in front of her, a mesmerizing voice sounded. She couldn’t mistake whose voice it was. As Rose looked up, startled, she spoke hurriedly.

“…Jasper?”

Jasper, disheveled and with an anxious expression as if he had rushed there, appeared before her. The train started moving slowly just then.

Jasper urgently took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Rose. His large hand completely enveloped hers. At that moment, a tingling sensation started from her fingertips and spread through her entire body.

Jasper quickly spoke while checking the train’s accelerating speed with sidelong glances.

“I thought I’d miss seeing you.”

“You… aren’t you supposed to board that?”

“Yeah, I have to. I just have to catch up before it picks up speed. I got on the train, and I saw someone who looked like you. I hoped it was you.”

Jasper rattled off his words without a moment’s pause. Rose had never seen Jasper, usually stoic, speak so fast and excitedly, his face beaming with joy.

“It’s fortunate I saw you before leaving. I’ll go now.”

Jasper, with a rapid heartbeat and a thrilled smile on his face, continued speaking. Rose had never seen Jasper so breathless, so agitated, so pleased, so smiling; the stoic Jasper was beaming with joy.

“It’s a relief to see you before I go. Take care.”

Jasper lightly traced Rose’s hand with his thumb before releasing it.

At that moment, steam hissed, and the speed of the train’s wheels rolling increased slightly. A train attendant was watching Jasper intently near the door of the first-class compartment.

Jasper sprinted astonishingly fast, extending his long legs. Clutching the letter tightly, Rose absentmindedly watched Jasper’s retreating figure. Summoning her courage, she shouted.

“…Jasper!”

Jasper, in mid-run, turned slightly to look at Rose.

“Come back safely!”

Jasper leaped towards the train upon hearing Rose’s shout, just as the last first-class passenger was about to board. The train attendant, who had been waiting for the last passenger, staggered with a sense of relief.

Jasper barely managed to get on the train and extended his head to shake hands with Rose. Although the distance was too far for their voices to reach, Jasper’s facial expressions were filled with joy, evident even from a distance.

Rose absentmindedly raised her hand for a brief shake in response. The speeding train swiftly ran along the tracks and exited the platform. Jasper seemed smaller and smaller.

When the train’s tail disappeared, Rose felt the tension that had filled her body dissipate instantly, leaving her feeling somewhat disoriented.

Rose carefully examined the envelope that Jasper had handed her. There was nothing written on the outside of the envelope.

Although she had received a brief note before from Jasper with the sender marked as ‘J,’ this was the first time she was receiving a proper letter.

 She was brimming with nerves and excitement as she was about to open the envelope and read what was inside.

“Senior.”

A calm and elegant voice called out to Rose. It was Adela Bluewood.

Rose, upon confirming the person in front of her, felt her dazed state subside. She had momentarily forgotten Adela’s presence due to her surprise over Jasper.

In Adela’s hand was a gift box that she had intended to give to Jasper. 

‘I see Jasper didn’t take it….’

The gift was carefully wrapped and showed a lot of effort. 

Unlike Rose, Adela was dressed in plain clothes. A small hat adorned her neatly tied blonde hair, and the lace gloves she wore reflected the sunlight, sparkling. Every detail, from head to toe, was meticulously attended to.

When she spotted Adela and Jasper together from a distance, she thought they looked exceptionally good together. However, as Adela approached, she noticed a shadow on her face.

Adela had gone to great lengths to accompany Jasper and was met with a rejection of the gift, so it was understandable. Suddenly feeling concerned about the letter she was holding, Rose hastily tucked it into her jacket’s pocket.

Although Adela seemed a bit subdued, she spoke calmly and composedly.

“Are you here to see him off too, senior?”

Adela referred to Jasper without using his name.

“…Yes.”

“Aren’t the fourth-year exams supposed to end today?”

Adela, a first-year student, had already finished all her exams two days ago and completed the spring semester. Rose fell momentarily silent, swallowing dryly.

Adela’s voice didn’t carry any hostility or sharpness, but she couldn’t help but be nervous. Adela must have certainly seen the situation just before the train departure.

At that moment, Rose oddly felt a pang of guilt. She had firmly stated to Adela last time that she and Jasper were just friends, but the situation had become tangled. 

Adela might think of her as a liar and might even resent her.

‘…Even so, there’s nothing I can do about it.’

It was never her intention to interfere with Adela. She had always thought that Jasper and Adela were a good match, both then and now. 

There was no need to be cautious or guilty in Adela’s presence. It’s not like Adela and Jasper were formally engaged, and Jasper didn’t desire that engagement either.

Rose made an effort not to shrink in the presence of the dazzling Adela and spoke.

“I came right after the exams. I heard the train time was moved up.”

Adela seemed to be contemplating something, her gaze momentarily lowered in silence before she spoke.

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to have a brief conversation.”

“…Is that so?”

Rose’s eyes revealed a complex emotion.

* * *

Rose briefly explained the situation to Rebecca, who was waiting in the carriage. Then, she went to have a conversation with Adela. 

Rebecca, who had been alternating her gaze between Rose and Adela, had a knowing expression as if she understood everything.

Adela led Rose to a nearby tea room. It was an elegant and sophisticated establishment. The tea room attendants seemed to know Adela well and warmly greeted the two of them.

They went to a window seat and sat facing each other. Adela spoke in a gentle voice.

“Do you have a particular tea you’d like to have?”

“No… I’d appreciate a recommendation.”

A short while later, sophisticated tableware was set on the table. There were dainty desserts nearby, but Rose had no desire to eat. 

She was simply curious about what Adela wanted to discuss.